A new chapter on LDS gays

[Quetzal]

A new chapter on LDS gays

Like many Mormons, Fred and Marilyn Matis presumed that all homosexuals had abandoned LDS principles for a life of debauchery, selfishness and promiscuity. They were thus stunned by the news that their temple-going, mission-serving, devout, obedient 32-year-old son was gay. How could that be?

It was a secret Stuart Matis had kept for more than 20 years since he first felt the stirring of sexual attraction.

But in months after telling his family in early 1999, Stuart's longtime agony came pouring out - his self-loathing, bargains with God, endless efforts to become perfect so he would miraculously be transformed into a heterosexual as he believed his parents and church would want.

At the time, his home state of California was in the midst of a campaign against same-sex marriage known as Proposition 22 and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was among the ballot's most ardent proponents. In their zeal, some Mormons made hostile and unkind remarks about all gays.

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A new chapter on LDS gays